St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-09-18
AT INDEPENDENCE SQUARE.
A Great and Memorable Event in
the Nations History.

the Nations History.
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 17.-This was
the third and last day Of the third cen
tennial celebration at the cradle of lib
erty within the last eleven years. 1t
was memorial day. A more beautiful
day could be hard to imagine. 1t was
typical September day, clear, cool and
bright. The streets this morning were
thronged with people of al conditions
of color. sex and occupation. On the
stand in independence square there
were represented every branch and
condition of life which goes to make up
a nation. Side by side were the chief
magistrate, the highest ecclesiastical
representatives, the justices of the
highest law tribunal, the ministers ex-
tT2Ordinary of foreign powers, the ma
tons law makers, and representatives
of the army and navy and all other de-
partmentS of civil, military and religious
life. The stand in Independence square,
at the rear of the old Historical hall, had
a seating capacity of about 100000,
and was filed early by honorary
t1'i-ntS. Such were necessary to
ain emission. At the front of the stand
t.>,...g south an enclosure was rallied off
for the president. his party, the speak
ers and others. At the front, and sus-
pended so as to be in full view, hung a
Photographic copy of the original con-
StitutiOn. At the east side of the stand
stood the quaint old high-backed chair
occupied by George Washington as the
presiding officer OF the congress which
adopted that hOnored and venerated
document. Suspended from the back
of the chair was another copy of the ma
tons charter. At each side of the cen
fn f,f hn ncto nH ttx-n h,,f n
large fiagstaffs, the colors on each being
raised in honor Of the army and navy
respectively as they came upon the
stand. At the eastern side of the struc-
ture sat the Marine band, who, for half
an hour before the exercises commenced,
discoursed music such as only that ia
nous organization could render. AT
half past 10
THE GIGANTIC CHORUS
of 1900 children, with 2GO men as lead
ing voices, sang a patriotic air which
brought them rounds of applause. One
of the first OF the distinguished guests
to arrive was the venerable Hannibal
Hamlin. Just as the bell On the top of
independence hall marked the hour of
IL the children'S chorus sent up three
rousing cheers. as their tribute of love
and veneration for the historic building
At just 11:14 the appearance of the
president and his wife at the head of
double column of distinguished visitors
created a perfect uproar of applause as
they came down the center aisle towards
their places in front, the president lead
ing on the arm of eX-Minister KaSSon.
and directly behind them came Mrs
Cleveland, leaning on the arm of
Thomas M. Thompson, chairman of the
committee on reception of distinguished
guests. Next came Secretary Bayard,
Daniel Lamont and wife and Sec
retary Fairchild. After the president and
Mrs. Cleveland had reached the stand
a general hard shaking with those
whom they recognized or were recog-
nized by, took place after which in re
sponse to the tumultuous applause of
the multitude, they walked side by side
and bowed their acknowledgements of
the compliments paid them. 1t seemed
as though the cheering would never die
out. The earth almost trembled as
thousands of throatS were yelled
hOarSe. At 11:25, after all had
reached the stand, Bishop Potter arose,
and being followed by all of those
who occupied the reserved space, with
uncovered heads made
THE OPENING PRAYER,
reading from manuscript. In the great
noise and din it was simply an impossi-
elity for even those near him to dis
tinguish even word. Just after the
bishop had concluded his prayer, Gen.
Phillip H. Sheridan with his aids, fol-
lowed closely by Cardinal Gibbo ons,
Archbishop Ryan and number of
Catholic clergy marched down the
aisle, cheered to r. the echo.
When they had been seated
Hon John A. KaSSOn as preSident of
the constitutional centennial commits
sion, assumed his place, and after a
hymn had been sung by the chorus,
arose to make the Introductory address
Of the day. After heavy round of ap-
plause he spoke at length, his remarks
being punctuated with many demon
strations of appreciation. Mrs. Cleve-
land sat almost in front of the speakers
position and was the cynosllre of all
eyes. She was neatly and handsomely
attired in clOse-ftting dress of cream
and brown colOred plaid silk, and wore
stylish bonnet of drab color with rib
bon trimmings. Cardinal Gibbons,
wearing the cardinal colors of his eX-
alted office, sat at the side of the speak
ers and was one of the most attentive
listeners of the entire assembly. At the
conclusion of Mr.. Kasson's address the
chorus sang the appeal to TRUTH"
by Schiller and Mendelssohn. with beau
tiful effect. At the conclusion of the
song ex-Minister Kasson escorted the